Ashington hospital worker stole from patient

Posted by The Journal on Jan 11, 09 12:51 PM in News

A hospital worker from Ashington funded his gambling addiction by preying on a vulnerable patient, a court heard.

Gary Conway abused his position of trust as a nursing assistant at St George's Hospital in Morpeth by stealing ÃÂ£1,150 from his victim who suffers from learning difficulties.

Investigations began after the ward manager received a complaint that the victim's bank card had been used six times without the man's consent or knowledge between February and May of last year.

Police were called and an examination of CCTV footage taken from the bank where the transactions had been made led to Conway, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

"He admitted taking the money to fund his gambling addiction, taking the complainant's bank card and memorising the pin number," said Rachel Curry, prosecuting. "He went on to say he was disgusted with himself and apologised for his actions."

Conway, 41, of Allchurch Drive, North Seaton, Ashington, admitted theft and was yesterday sentenced to 26 weeks' jail suspended 18 months with an 18-month community order, supervision and ÃÂ£1,150 compensation.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he blamed his chronic gambling habit on being introduced to betting by his grandmother when he was just six-years-old.

Suspending the sentence, Judge Tony Lancaster told him: "You are a man of previous good character whose remorse I accept was genuine. You did and have taken steps to accumulate money to repay what you stole."

He added: "In my view these offences were mean as you stole from that patient, who trusted you. It represents a breach of the trust that was invested in you.

"You found it difficult to avoid the temptation of gambling which is impulsive.

"Your gambling has reached such a level probably as you had been exposed to gambling when you were a child."

Conway stole ÃÂ£1,150 from the man between February and May last year. He had taken the patient's bank card and went and helped himself to the money.

His employment as a nursing assistant was terminated when the offences came to light.

The court heard he had spent up to ÃÂ£7,000 a week on gambling at the height of his problem but had not placed a bet since his arrest last October.

Ailsa MacDonald, defending, said: "At the age of six he was in the care of his maternal grandmother who gambled on a daily basis.

"As a result of her failing eyesight this defendant at that immature age was taken to the betting shop with his nan and read the form and helped her place bets.

"From a very very tender age he was exposed to the evil of gambling and as a result developed a pathological addiction to gambling."

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